INSTAGRAM WORTHY SPOTS IN NASSAU PARADISE ISLAND!

Taking in the gorgeous views from my balcony at the The Cove, Atlantis Paradise Island

Taking in the gorgeous views from my balcony at the The Cove, Atlantis Paradise Island

The water sparkled like blue zircon sapphires as I stood speechless, taking it all in. As a child, I have faint memories of sailing around the Bahamas with my dad, but now, seeing the intense and mesmerizing crystal clear blues of the water was enough to leave me breathless all over again. “Somebody pinch me,” I thought.

This trip to the Bahamas was going to be very different than any of my previous visits with my father. For one I was not with family, and secondly, I was finally going to have a chance to explore more of Nassau Paradise Island. My stay in Nassau Bahamas would be split between two of the largest and most popular paradise island resorts, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas and The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar; and while in town I was also going to get the chance to explore many other smaller Nassau Bahamas hotel properties and talk to locals in hopes of finding out where the most Instagram-worthy spots on the island are! So, are you ready?

Views of Cabbage Beach from the porch of a three bedroom unit at Sunrise Clubs and Villas

Views of Cabbage Beach from the porch of a three bedroom unit at Sunrise Clubs and Villas

One of the smaller properties I visited was the Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas, located on Cabbage Beach. It was here while standing on the back porch of one of their three-bedroom villas that I saw the water sparkle like blue zircon sapphires for the first time.

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES IN NASSAU BAHAMAS

Cabbage Beach is known for being one of the most beautiful natural beaches in the Bahamas and spans approximately 8 km. Along the beach, you will find countless resorts, bars, and restaurants lining the shores. The beach itself has the most beautiful clean, white sand, and although the water is shallow and perfect for beach walks, swimming, and sunbathing, I have heard the rip currents can also be very strong. Since there are no lifeguards on duty I would suggest being mindful of this when going in the water. Cabbage beach starts at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas property and the further west you go the quieter the beach gets. By the time you hit Sunrise Beach Clubs and Villas or the famous Four Seasons Ocean Club (more on that later), the beach becomes less busy and in my personal opinion much more enjoyable. Since there are many restaurants and bars along the beach, beach chairs can easily be rented wherever you decide to settle down, making this the perfect place to post up, do a little ‘liming’, snap some Instagram worthy photos and enjoy a gorgeous beach day in Nassau Paradise Island.


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The gorgeous mosaic pool at Graycliff Hotel in Nassau

The gorgeous mosaic pool at Graycliff Hotel in Nassau

RESTAURANTS IN NASSAU BAHAMAS

The second place I recommend you check out while in Nassau Paradise Island Bahamas is the Graycliff Hotel and surrounding Graycliff Heritage Village. Not only does the hotel have great historical significance, but it also has an amazing fine dining restaurant – the first 5-star restaurant on the island and the best food I had while in Nassau – and an expansive wine cellar that boasts over 200,000 bottles of wine at an estimated value of $20 million! The hotel itself is located near downtown Nassau and was originally a mansion built in 1740 by Captain John Howard Graysmith, a famous pirate known for looting treasure ships along the Spanish Main (the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea). If you have a chance to visit the hotel I would recommend snapping some photos by their gorgeous mosaic pool in the back which is like a little tucked away oasis and unlike anything else, you will see in Nassau Bahamas. If you continue through the Heritage Village you will also find the Graycliff Cigar Company, Graycliff Chocolatier, and Bahama Barrels (Bahamas’s first winery) – all of which are great places to pick up some souvenirs.

NOTEWORTHY LUXURY RESORTS & HOTELS IN THE BAHAMAS

The Versailles-inspired tiered manicured lawns and gardens at the Four Season Ocean Club

The Versailles-inspired tiered manicured lawns and gardens at the Four Season Ocean Club

Anyone who loves James Bond movies would recognize the famous Four Seasons Ocean Club from the Daniel Craig-starring Casino Royal. Not only is the Ocean Club an extremely exclusive property but the grounds are absolutely stunning. On the property, you will find beautiful ocean views, tranquil spots in which to relax, a beautiful fine dining restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the water, and a racket club. For me, what made this property so Instagram-worthy was the 35 acres of Versailles-inspired tiered manicured lawns and gardens. If you can snag a dinner (it’s definitely one of the most romantic restaurants in Nassau) or lunch reservation at the hotel restaurant (Dune Restaurant) make sure to take a walk around the property to find the gardens. You are guaranteed some beautiful, fairytale-like pictures here!

Kids having fun at Aquaventure at Atlantis Paradise Island

Kids having fun at Aquaventure at Atlantis Paradise Island

If you have kids or are just a big kid at heart, the waterpark at Atlantis Paradise Island is an amazing place to check out and snap photos while in Nassau Bahamas. Aquaventure, Atlantis’ waterpark, is a remarkable 141-acre with Atlantean-themed towers that house high-speed water slides. Numerous swimming pools, a water playground/fort, a mile-long not-so-lazy river with rolling rapids and wave surges, and twenty additional swimming areas can also be found scattered throughout the property. The good news is you don’t necessarily need to be staying at Atlantis to access the park as day passes can be purchased at The Atlantis Adventures Tour center located outside The Coral. Space is limited so best to arrive early and anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an Adult (18 years or older) to access the water park. While on Atlantis grounds, make sure to also check out the numerous aquariums on the property for a glimpse at majestic stingrays and schools of tropical fish.


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One of the pools at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

One of the pools at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar

Last, but definitely not least, the Baha Mar Campus offers numerous amazing photo opportunities. The Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, where I stayed, is the largest hotel on the Baha Mar campus and has 6 gorgeous pools to choose from – one of which even has a grotto! Colourful cabanas along with cute little Airstream trailer food trucks can also be found scattered throughout the property, both of which make incredibly cute backdrops for photos. Besides the beautiful casino (where you aren’t really allowed to take photos of/in) the Baha Mar campus is incredibly photogenic and all three hotels that make up the campus – Baha Mar SLS, Grand Hyatt Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar – offer unique experiences. The Baha Mar SLS (the party hotel) and the Rosewood Baha Mar (Nassau’s ultimate private, luxury hotel escape) provide guests with further exclusive access to parts of the property that Hyatt guests do not have including smaller, private pools (SLS has one and Rosewood has two) as well as a private beach (reserved for Rosewood Baha Mar guests only). No matter which hotel you end up staying at though, you are bound to get some great shots for your IG!

This is obviously just the tip of the iceberg for Instagram worthy spots in Nassau Paradise Island, let alone the Bahamas! One place that should for sure be on this list, but I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to really visit, is downtown Nassau. Known for its bright colourful buildings and Straw Market, downtown Nassau Bahamas is super close to the cruise ship port making it an easy place to visit if you are coming in via boat. Other than that, Nassau is a beautiful island with so much to offer and I am sure anyone who visits will find unique spots of their own to add to this list. If you know of or find a spot that you think I should add to this list, feel free to leave me a note in the comments below!

Until then safe travels and happy photo taking!

Chilling on my balcony at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau Bahamas Paradise Island

Chilling on my balcony at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau Bahamas Paradise Island


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PURA VIDA IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica has always been a place I have wanted to go. My brother, having studied abroad there for a year told me tales of beautiful beaches, spending the weekends surfing, gorgeous tropical weather, and diverse ecosystems with lots to explore and discover. So as 2017 wound down I decided that 2018 was going to be the year I make as many of my travel dreams come true. So I started planning… Costa Rica was definitely at the top of my list and lucky enough Sunwing was going to help me make it happen. My plan - head to Costa Rica as a travel photojournalist and content creator, and fulfill my dream to visit Costa Rica all the while sharing my experience with you guys - FINALLY!

The morning of our flight we woke up to a massive snow fall! Getting to the airport was going to be more of a trek then we imagined and my stomach started to wrench at the thought that we may miss our flight - or worse it would be cancelled. Before I could drown in negative thoughts I decided to bite the bullet, pay the uber surge and just make my way as fast as I could to the UP Express.  Thankfully we arrived at the airport with 20 minutes to spare and with the help of Sunwing's staff and our 'Sunwing Elite' status we were processed and on our way within minutes! The flight of course was NOT cancelled and after a little de-icing we were on our way. The flight itself went very smooth, the in-flight crew very friendly, and after aecend we were offered a glass of sparkling wine - don't mind if I do.


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Tamarindo, a small town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica is located on the Pacific coast of the country. What I didn’t know when I landed was that it was also a little over an  hour drive away from the airport. Lucky enough Sunwing, arranges transfers for their customers FOR FREE to their hotels when booked as a package! Having never flown with Sunwing before and having never in my previous travels ever seen this happen (or had this service available to me), I thought it was genius! Usually when I arrive to a destination I have to pay out-of-pocket for transportation via either a shuttle service or a taxi just to get to my hotel/final destination - but not this time!

Finding the bus was easy and soon enough we were pulling up to my hotel just in time for dinner. Since Tamarindo is a small town they really only have one big hotel - the Tamarindo Diria - a beautiful 3.5 star (completely underrated in my opinion) hotel with the most gorgeous beach front views, and the only hotel with a private garden and direct access to the beach! That night I was so excited to be in Costa Rica, explore the hotel, and check out the small town of Tamarindo, I hardly slept!

Waking up to the sounds of the ocean is always nice but waking up to it and seeing the amazing panorama view of the beach right from the comforts of my large room balcony was breathtaking. Sitting there drinking my Costa Rican coffee I would see people slowly starting to claim their beach chairs, locals going for morning walk along the beach with their dogs, sailboats anchored in the distance and a group of horses available to ride roaming up and down the beach. It was perfect. It was Pura Vida!

With my last sip of coffee I quickly got ready, went down to check out the hotel and familiarize myself with the area. The small town of Tamarindo has a main strip that runs parallel to the ocean in addition to maybe two or three small streets that splinter off of it. It’s a small town, but with tons of energy. The Tamarindo Diria is located smack in the middle of the main strip and straddles either side of the road. One side (the one I was staying at) had beach-front hotel views, beach access and a smaller (but not small by any means) pool. This side was dubbed the ‘Sunset Village’. On the other side of the road you have the ‘Lagoon Village’ and the ‘Tropicana Village’. The ‘Lagoon Village’ has the most beautiful (and very large) pool oasis, a grotto, a kid friendly pool, and a swim up bar. The “Tropicana Village’ is an ‘adults only’ area with their own quiet adults only pool and lounge bar. There are hotel rooms available in all three villages, it just depending on what kind of vacation you are more into. The Lagoon and Tropicana side however, also features condos, tennis courts, shops and a casino! Oh did I also mention that the hotel also has five restaurants and bars? Weather you want pizza, seafood, steak or explore typical Costa Rican cuisine they’ve got you covered. No matter what side of the hotel you end up on, you will have access to everything!

After familiarizing myself with the hotel and running around to take some pretty pictures, it was time for a beach walk. The sand on Playa Tamarindo is made up of packed sand making it very easy to walk on with very little effort. The beach itself is very wide and the water is warm, almost like a giant salt water bathtub. Although you see many people out in the water enjoying surfing, the progression in depth is very gradual making walking out into the water very easy. This combined with the fact that there wasn’t really any undertow or sea life made it seem super safe for kids, beginner swimmers, or even novice surfers like myself! The beach is public domain and therefore you can walk around with ease, dropping in and out of different beach-front bars and restaurants, and mingling with locals as you go along. At sunset don’t be surprised if you start to hear the sounds of live music echoing from these small bars and restaurants - definitely a great way to end the day and make you feel totally decompressed. You are on vacation after all!

One thing I noticed about Tamarindo is all the expats! Finding someone who speaks English is not difficult at all. As a matter of fact all the menus are available in English even at the restaurants off the resort. If you are big into sports, Tamarindo has an American sports bar called Sharky’s so you never have to worry about missing the big game. Although the Hotel Tamarindo Diria is beautiful I definitely recommend wandering around Tamarindo. I always felt completely safe and besides the local restaurants (Green Papaya and Falafel Bar were two we loved and frequented more then once), there is a night market on Thursday from 6-10 pm where you can buy artisan products, food, drinks etc. that I definitely recommend. If you are looking for a place to go out there is also a small disco/nightclub called Crazy Monkey. Located less than 500 meters from the hotel it has two dance floors, one with a live band that plays Salsa music and one with a DJ that playing hip hop. On Friday nights Crazy Monkey gets really busy. Packed with tourists and locals alike, it’s a really nice way to immerse yourself in the vibe of Tamarindo.

If you have seen the surf documentary The Endless Summer II you would know that Tamarindo is famous for surfing. With plenty of surf shops to choose from there is no need to bring your own board to catch some waves. On top of having your pick from a handful of surf shops that rent boards, the beach also has lots of instructors equipped with boards ready to help you ride your first Costa Rican wave. Having taken surfing lessons in the past, I headed over to Surf Culture to rent a board for the day, which only cost me $10. The shop is located less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel and the staff are very knowledgeable. They can help you with everything from finding the perfect board for your skill level and height, best spots to surf, and even some friendly tourism advice like the best place to go out that night and where to eat!

As I said in the beginning Costa Rica has so much to offer in the way of exploration and discovery. Towards the end of our trip my boyfriend and I spent an entire day in a small town of Bueno Vista with Sunwing Experiences. We went ziplining, had a Costa Rican coffee tasting, went horseback riding, tried volcanic mudding, hung out in hot springs, and to finish the day off, did a hike to a magnificent waterfall. The entire tour was arranged through Sunwing and can even be booked on the flight over! Bueno Vista is about 1.5 hours away from the hotel Tamarindo Diria, but Sunwing Experiences arranges transportation there and back and provides lunch. So if you are looking to get out of the hotel and really experience Costa Rica I definitely recommend trying the Bueno Vista Tour. With about 11 hours from pick up to drop off it’s definitely a jam-packed day of fun activities and totally worth every penny.

I know this was a long post but I would be doing the trip a disservice if I didn’t give you the full scoop. Traveling to Costa Rica was everything I imagined and more. It’s not often I find a destination that I want to go back to so quickly but this is one country I am eager to explore more of. If you ever get a chance to go or are thinking about doing a trip with your loved one, family, or even a big group of friends, I definitely recommend Tamarindo, Costa Rica and for ease, great tour partnerships, and price value, Sunwing.


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